Coast Guard falls to Merchant Marine 26-15

Feb 06, 2013

NEW LONDON, Conn.-Archrival Merchant Marine came to Merriman Gymnasium and escaped with a 26-15 over Coast Guard. Four wrestlers posted victories for Coast Guard but a forfeit in the 125 pound weight class ended up proving very costly for the Bears. The victory improves Merchant Marine to 5-7 on the year, while the loss drops Coast Guard to 4-9.

Sophomore All-America Nate Giorgio won in a rout, 14-0, at 133 while his brother, sophomore Mike Giorgio, also routed his opponent at 141 pounds by a 16-2 margin. With the victory Nate Giorgio improves to 20-5 on the season (16-4 at 133) and Mike Giorgio improves to 16-13 on the year (7-6 at 141).

Freshman Marc Wagner was also able to record a narrow victory, 5-3, at 184 pounds. In the final match of the night sophomore Mark Howard took a major decision victory in the heavyweight class. Wagner moves his mark to 16-15 (6-6 at 184) and Howard, with his victory moves to 17-10 (all in the heavyweight division).

It was sophomore Vaughn Gehman who was involved in perhaps the best match of the night. After being scoreless through two periods of wrestling Gehman was able to escape after a takedown to pull within 2-1 with just seconds remaining, but it wasn't quite enough as he fell in the 165 pound division.

It was a special night as prior to the match, the Coast Guard team welcomed the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association as the Newtown wrestlers squared off in six exhibition matches against a group of Waterford youth wrestlers. Newtown prevailed in five of the six matches.

Coast Guard honored the 26 victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy. One of those victims, Jack Pinto, was a member of the Newtown Youth Wrestling Association.

Coast Guard returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Cortland State to take on the Red Dragons and SUNY-Oswego, starting at noon. The Bears will return home February 16, as they get set to host a quad meet where they will welcome Rhode Island College, Bridgewater State, and Trinity College; matches are set to begin at noon.

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